• Goodbody Clinic Sports and Fitness Blood Test kit box on a white background
  • Goodbody Clinic Sports and Fitness Blood Test kit with kettlebell, dumbbell and skipping rope
  • Ways to book your blood test – at-home finger prick kit, in-clinic blood draw or home nurse visit – Goodbody Clinic

Sports and Fitness Blood Test

4.5/5
A hormone blood test for people who train: testosterone, free testosterone, free androgen index, SHBG, oestradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin, progesterone, DHEA-sulphate and albumin, the markers that govern muscle, recovery, energy and libido. From £99 with a finger-prick kit at home, £139 at one of 250+ clinics or £159 with a nurse home visit. Results in 3 to 5 working days with a GP report. For men and women over 18.... Read more

A hormone blood test for people who train: testosterone, free testosterone, free androgen index, SHBG, oestradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin, progesterone, DHEA-sulphate and albumin, the markers that govern muscle, recovery, energy and libido. From £99 with a finger-prick kit at home, £139 at one of 250+ clinics or £159 with a nurse home visit. Results in 3 to 5 working days with a GP report. For men and women over 18.

Key facts

  • Price: from £99 with a finger-prick kit at home; £139 at a Goodbody clinic; £159 with a nurse home visit
  • Markers: 11: testosterone, free testosterone, free androgen index, SHBG, oestradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin, progesterone, DHEA-sulphate, albumin; every marker is measured from the finger-prick sample
  • Timing: take the sample in the morning, when testosterone is highest, and rest from hard training for 24 to 48 hours beforehand
  • Fasting: not needed
  • Results: emailed within 3 to 5 working days with a GP report
  • Not included: liver, kidney, cholesterol, HbA1c or a full blood count; pair it with the General Health or Advanced Well Man test for those

Your questions answered

What does a sports blood test check?

All 11 markers and what they tell a training athlete:

Marker Why it matters for training
Testosterone, free testosterone, free androgen index The anabolic drive behind muscle, strength, recovery and libido; free and index values show how much is actually available
SHBG The protein that binds testosterone; high SHBG means less free hormone despite a normal total
Oestradiol Balances testosterone in men and governs bone and cycle health in women; too high or too low impairs both
LH and FSH The pituitary signals that drive natural testosterone and sperm production, or ovulation; low values show suppression, high values show the testes or ovaries are struggling
Prolactin Raised prolactin suppresses testosterone and libido and can follow stress, medication or a pituitary cause
Progesterone Cycle and ovulation marker in women; part of the hormone cascade in men
DHEA-sulphate Adrenal precursor to sex hormones; falls with age and overtraining
Albumin Carrier protein and a marker of nutrition and recovery capacity
What blood tests do bodybuilders take?

Two kinds. A hormone panel like this one, to see testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol, LH, FSH and prolactin, which show whether the body's own production is normal, suppressed or recovering. And a general health panel for the organs that hard training, supplements and extreme diets stress: liver enzymes, kidney function, cholesterol, HbA1c and a full blood count. This test is the hormone half; the General Health Blood Test (£69, home kit) or Advanced Well Man (£175, includes a full blood count and PSA) is the other half. Many people take both together.

What blood tests do I need if I use anabolic steroids?

If you use, or are considering using, anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs, regular blood monitoring is the single most useful thing you can do to reduce harm. Doctors who run harm-reduction clinics check three things: hormones (testosterone, oestradiol, LH, FSH, SHBG, prolactin) before, during and after use to see suppression and recovery; liver and kidney function, cholesterol and a full blood count, because steroids raise haematocrit, LDL and liver enzymes; and blood pressure. This panel covers the hormones; pair it with the General Health or Advanced Well Man test for the rest. We do not supply or advise on any drug, and your GP report will recommend seeing a doctor if results are outside the safe range.

Where can I get a blood test for steroid use in the UK?

Privately, at any of 250+ Goodbody clinics, by a nurse at home, or with a finger-prick kit posted to you, with no GP referral and results explained in a GP report. The NHS also runs steroid harm-reduction clinics in some areas, such as NHS Lothian, that offer confidential monitoring. Your NHS GP can test hormones and liver function if you tell them what you are taking; the consultation is confidential. Whichever route you use, test before a cycle for a baseline, during it, and 8 to 12 weeks after to check recovery.

Can I get my testosterone levels checked on the NHS?

Yes, if you have symptoms such as low libido, erectile problems, tiredness or loss of muscle; your GP will usually order a morning total testosterone and repeat it if low. The NHS does not test testosterone for performance or monitoring purposes, and rarely adds free testosterone, SHBG, oestradiol or prolactin unless the first result is abnormal. This test includes all of them from one sample, in the morning, with a GP report.

What do free androgen index and SHBG tell me that total testosterone does not?

Most testosterone in the blood is bound to SHBG and albumin and cannot act on muscle. Free testosterone and the free androgen index estimate the active fraction. A man with a normal total but high SHBG, which rises with age, low body fat, heavy endurance training and low-calorie dieting, can have symptoms of low testosterone that a total-only test misses. The reverse is true with low SHBG. Seeing both explains why two people with the same total testosterone feel very different.

Why test oestradiol and prolactin in men?

Oestradiol is made from testosterone and men need some of it for bone, joint and libido health; too much causes water retention, mood swings and breast tissue, too little causes joint pain and low libido, and both are common when testosterone is very high or falling. Prolactin, when raised, suppresses testosterone and sex drive and can follow stress, some medications and pituitary problems. Both are routinely overlooked in a standard testosterone test.

Should I avoid exercise before a blood test?

Yes, rest from hard training for 24 to 48 hours. A heavy session temporarily raises testosterone, cortisol and prolactin and can lower free hormone through dehydration, so a sample the morning after a hard workout reads differently from a rested one. Take the sample in the morning, when testosterone peaks, and keep the timing the same each time you retest so results are comparable.

Is this test for women too?

Yes. The same hormones govern women's training, cycle health, bone density and recovery. Low oestradiol with low LH and FSH is the pattern of relative energy deficiency, common in women who train hard and under-eat, and it causes missed periods, stress fractures and fatigue. High testosterone and free androgen index with a high LH to FSH ratio points towards PCOS. Tell us your cycle day when you order so the results are interpreted correctly.

Kit, clinic or nurse: how is the sample taken?

Three ways. The finger-prick kit (£99) is posted to you; take it in the morning, rested, and post it back the same day, and every one of the 11 markers is measured from it. Or book a morning appointment at one of 250+ Goodbody clinics (£139) for a venous draw, or have a nurse visit your home (£159). No fasting is needed. Find your nearest clinic.

How much does a sports blood test cost?

From £99 with the home finger-prick kit, £139 at a clinic or £159 with a nurse visit, including laboratory analysis of all 11 markers and a GP report. Sports hormone panels in the UK typically cost £90 to £200; ours includes the doctor's interpretation.

How long do results take, and what should I pair this with?

Results are emailed within 3 to 5 working days of your sample reaching the laboratory, with a GP report explaining each marker. For a complete picture of training health, add the General Health Blood Test (liver, kidney, cholesterol, iron, £69 kit) or the Advanced Well Man or Well Woman test, which adds a full blood count, HbA1c and inflammation.

What happens next

Your results and GP report are emailed to you within 3 to 5 working days of your sample reaching the laboratory. The report explains each marker in plain language, flags anything outside the reference range and says what to do next, including when to take the result to your own GP. All samples are analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory.

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What biomarkers do we test?

How our tests work

Book online...

Book online, receive your kit and take to your local Goodbody clinic.

Send it back…

Send your sample in the post to be analysed at an accredited laboratory.

Get results.

Get your comprehensive detailed results report from the laboratory, with guidance from our support team.

Available testing locations for Sports and Fitness Blood Test

Aberdeen Clinic GCI Advanced Aesthetics Abergavenny Clinic Amatsu Centre Airdrie Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy Aldershot Clinic Wellington Pharmacy Alton Clinic Four Marks Pharmacy Andover Clinic Dr Malaika Clinics Anniesland Clinic Amiry & Gilbride Pharmacy Arlesey Clinic Waterloo Farm Wellness Armadale Clinic Dears Pharmacy Ascot Clinic Ascot Pharmacy AshbyDeLaZouch Clinic Aeternum Aesthetics Ashford Clinic Breakspear Pharmacy Aveley Clinic Doctor B Aesthetics Aylesbury Clinic Aura Body Clinic Aylesbury Clinic Pearlfect Care Pharmacy Aylsham Clinic North Norfolk Ear & Skin Care Ballingry Clinic Barnet Clinic Co Wellbeing Find More
More Information

Our blood test will check all the key markers to identify your levels of sports performance and fitness to improve your physical abilities.

If you’re a fitness enthusiast, athlete, bodybuilder or gym bunny – this test is for you! Check your key hormone levels to understand if they are impacting your health, fitness and performance wherever you train or compete.

If you’re struggling with low energy, long recovery times or slow gains, your hormones may be having a big impact. Understanding whether you have an imbalance can help you make changes to your lifestyle, nutrition or behaviours to adjust your health and improve your fitness.

You must be over 18 years old to use this test.

What’s included?

DHEA-Sulphate

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone which is found in all bodies and plays important role in muscular and metabolic health. It is the second most abundant circulating steroid in the human body.

It starts to decline as you age and also then leads to a decline in testosterone and oestrogen levels, which are important for the body to create lean muscle. A drop in DHEA and therefore Testosterone will impact the loss of muscle mass and bone density as you age.

Understanding your DHEA level means you can understand whether you have normal levels for your age and gender, and whether this is a cause of reduced muscle mass or weakness. 

Follicular Stimulating Hormone

FSH can be found in males and females, and is important for female reproduction and fertility, and male sperm count and sex drive.

It can be a good way to help measure your general health and fitness. Low FSH levels can also indicate energy deficiency, often seen in people who exercise excessively. Understanding your FSH levels mean you can determine whether you are generally fit and healthy, as well as whether your low energy levels may be due to hormonal imbalance, or from too much exercise and not enough calorific intake, or rest.

Free Androgen Index

Free Androgen Index or FAI is a ratio used to determine abnormal androgen status in humans. The ratio is the total testosterone level divided by the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) level, and then multiplying by a constant, usually 100.

A high value means you have too much active testosterone in your blood, whilst a low value means you have low levels of testosterone, which affects your muscle mass, fat mass, energy levels and bone strength.

Testosterone

Testosterone is made in the testes of men and, in smaller amounts, in the ovaries of women. It’s an important hormone which helps with the distribution of fat and muscle around the body, as well as energy levels and the ability to make and maintain lean muscle mass. Good levels of testosterone can help you develop larger, stronger muscles and stronger bone mass.

Understanding your testosterone levels will help determine whether you have a deficiency for your age and gender, which can be affecting your muscle growth, strength, endurance and outside the gym, your mood, fertility, libido and more.

Luteinising Hormone

Created in the pituitary gland, luteinising hormone impacts male and female reproduction abilities. For women it affects the ovaries and ability to conceive, whilst in men it affects the testes and testosterone levels.

A test for this hormone can show whether a female may have low or high testosterone levels or has entered the menopause affecting mood, strength and weight gain or increased fat levels. In men, this test alongside a testosterone check can identify whether low testosterone levels are caused by too much luteinising hormone in the blood, which can lead to reduced strength, low muscle mass, fatigue and weak bones.

Progesterone

Progesterone belongs to a group of steroid hormones called ‘progestogens’ and has an important role in the menstrual cycle and maintaining the early stages of pregnancy in females.

Lack of progesterone in the bloodstream can mean the ovary has failed to release an egg at ovulation, as can occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. In males, progesterone is produced by the body to create testosterone, and it is produced in the adrenal glands and the testes. Low levels of progesterone in males can lead to increased risk of osteoporosis, arthritis and prostate cancer.

Prolactin

Prolactin is a hormone created in the pituitary gland. Normally men and women both have low levels of prolactin in the blood, and during pregnancy for females, this increases to help stimulating milk production. High levels of prolactin outside of pregnancy, or in males, can cause infertility, impotence, reduced libido and limited sperm production.

High prolactin levels also interfere with the production of testosterone, which causes reduced energy, muscle mass development and strength.

Testing for prolactin can help determine whether low testosterone levels have been caused by excessive prolactin, which can be due to a tumour in the pituitary gland, underactive thyroid, medication or excessive stress.

SHBG

SHBG stands for sex hormone binding globulin. It’s a protein made by the liver and attaches itself to sex hormones found in both men and women.

Too much SHBG in your blood can be a sign that the protein is attaching itself to too much testosterone, making less testosterone available to your tissues. This will reduce strength, muscle mass and energy levels. High SHBG can also lead to weight increase and more fat mass, as well as low mood, insomnia leading to fatigue, and low sex drive.

Albumin

Albumin is  protein mainly made in the liver. It helps carry nutrients, medications and hormones around the body. Low levels can lead to slow healing, tissue growth and tissue recovery – leading to longer recovery times for athletes and fitness fans.

Checking albumin levels can also help determine how much capacity your blood has for delivering hormones around the body to your tissues, which impacts the delivery of all the above hormones for sports and fitness performance.

Oestradiol

Oestradiol is a primary form of oestrogen, the hormone responsible for regulating reproductive and sexual health in both males and females. It plays a vital role in menstrual cycle regulation, fertility, and the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

For women, oestradiol levels can indicate the health of ovarian function and detect hormonal imbalances that might affect mood, weight, and bone health. For men, while oestradiol is present in smaller amounts, abnormal levels can impact testosterone balance and overall health.

Trustpilot

How our blood tests work

Have your blood taken in-clinic by one of our skilled phlebotomists and check multiple biomarkers in one go. Many of our tests can also be done in the comfort of your own home with one of our easy-to-use test kits.

Home tests
Clinic tests

Testing

Take a test, either in the comfort of your own home, with a nurse visit, or at one of our clinics nationwide.

Analysis

Your sample is analysed in the clinic, laboratory or using your home test equipment.

Results

Get your comprehensive detailed results report from the laboratory.

Our customers love us!

Excellent service

I was seen immediately on arrival and taken straight in for my procedure. The premises were clean and well maintained, and the staff were polite, professional, and very efficient.

Sophie

Results back within 24 hours

I wanted to have a blood test after a previous HbA1c result showed I was in the diabetic range. I had made some lifestyle changes about a month earlier and wanted to check my progress, but my doctor wasn’t able to retest for another two months, so I decided to arrange my own test. Goodbody made the whole process very easy and convenient, with straightforward booking and quick service. I received my results within few days, and my levels had improved, which was really encouraging and motivated me to keep going. It was well worth the cost.

James. S

Sent off for 24hour heart monitor

I ordered a 24-hour heart monitor kit on Friday and had the results by the following Tuesday. The level of service was excellent, especially given the current one-year wait for an NHS Holter monitor in our area!

Grace Lee

Got the PSA results next day

I completed the PSA test with the PSE EpiSwitch Prostate Cancer test in Soho yesterday and posted my samples at Soho Square at 10:30 am. I received my PSA results the very next day—outstanding service! Despite a BRCA genetic mutation, I am happy to report that I am cancer-free. Thank you, EpiSwitch. 5 stars!

Wilson. P

Someone from Goodbody called me to put my mind ease

I recently had a full blood count taken by a very friendly nurse at Superdrug. She completed all my paperwork for me and was incredibly kind. I received my results the next day. Because of my anxiety and having never seen a lab report before, I emailed for some clarification, and to my surprise, someone from Goodbody called me to put my mind at ease. I’m very grateful for the excellent service and will definitely be using them again.

Michael. T

Understanding of my fear of needles

The nurse was incredibly helpful and understanding of my fear of needles, providing constant reassurance and guiding me through the entire process to help take my mind off what was happening.

Illy. C

Definitely recommend

The team was friendly and professional, making the experience completely painless. The clinic was easy to find, with convenient parking available nearby.

Martin. K

You’re in good hands

I visited the clinic for a private blood test and was immediately impressed by the service. They offer a wide range of services, everything feels high quality and professional, and Emma, who attended to us, was fantastic! Whatever service you book here, you can be confident you’re in very capable hands.

Robert

Top notch experience

As someone who regularly needs blood tests due to diabetes, I can honestly say this was the first time I experienced absolutely no pain at all with the needle—truly none! There was also no bruising afterward. It was a really top-notch job and made for an excellent overall experience (something I’ve never said about a blood test before!).

Ashley. P

Friendly and relaxing atmosphere

I found the staff to be friendly, approachable, and highly professional. They explained everything clearly as they carried out the blood draw. The clinic was clean and thoughtfully set up to help patients feel at ease.

Lorra. L

Polite and efficient approach

I was impressed by the company’s focus on clear communication and professionalism. The procedure was quick, well-organised, and ran smoothly with no unnecessary waiting or confusion. I especially appreciated their gentle approach and how they put me at ease, which was reassuring since it was my first blood draw at the clinic.

Simon. S

Amazing service including nurse coming

Outstanding service, including a nurse visiting my home for blood work. Full body scans through Well Man and Well Woman were arranged within three days, including additional scans and tests which i had requested. All organised within two days and delivered directly to my home. Truly convenient and efficient service!

Andrew. B

Made a dreaded blood test so much easier

I had been feeling unwell for three years and had numerous blood tests through my doctor with no clear answers. I decided to try Goodbody Clinic and ordered an at-home menopause test. The results revealed that I have a low thyroid TSH level, and I am so relieved that this issue was finally identified.

Charlie. T

Truly fantastic local service!

From start to finish, the service was exceptional. Booking the appointment was straightforward, and the entire experience was well-organized and impressively quick.

Dmitry. R

Results less than 24 hours later

Even though I arrived at the clinic a few minutes early, I was seen immediately. I received my blood test results in less than 24 hours. Truly brilliant service!

Malti

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Experts you can trust

Meet our Goodbody Experts

Our team of professionals has decades of experience so you can be sure you’re getting the best tests and support to understand and improve your health.

Get in touch with Our Team

Dr Lebeth Jacob

BSc (Hons) MBChB
Registered GP & Lead Medical Advisor

Dr Alexandre Akoulitchev

MA, PhD, FRSM
Clinical Support Advisor

Dr Cheng Boon

MBCHB, MRCP, FRCR
Consultant Oncologist

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AFTER YOUR TEST

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We promise to deliver affordable testing to everybody.

When you’re worried about your health, life can feel very stressful, especially if you don’t have the answers you need. We believe that health testing should be available to all, giving you answers when and where you need them.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Splitit, Dopple and Clearpay so you can pay for your tests in interest-free instalments, if you prefer.